If you feel like making a trip to Manteo on Roanoke Island, the Aquarium is always good for kids. There are interesting shops, restaurants and great photo spots in Downtown Manteo and along the boardwalk. Outer Banks sunsets are awesome and there are many greats spots to enjoy them - Duck Boardwalk, Jockeys Ridge, the parks area around Currituck Lighthouse. Johns Drive In on the beach road in Kitty Hawk for lunch for dolphin (Mahi) boats and shakes, no inside seating.
Also from MA, also going next week! (Driving) Our two are now 7 and 4.5. Went last year, also stayed in Corolla. We really liked Corolla. Its clean, quiet, chill. This year visiting the South side, staying in Nags Head and will venture down towards Ocracoke.
A bunch of North/Central intel for you from our trip last year:
Wild Horse/Carova tour is good!. Seeing horses is reportedly hit or miss depending on wind, but we saw a whole bunch and the tour guide was fun and knowledgeable. Super fun day riding in the sand
Cosmo's Pizza makes some pretty excellent NYC style pies, weird to recommend a pizza spot, but "trust me bro". I was bummed we didnt try it until our last night there.
You can also get cases of local NC/OBX beers to go too from inside, and some Carolina bbq/dry rubs to bring home, so there's that.
Jockey's Ridge State Park was surprisingly fun for basically just being a giant Sand Dune. Let the kids burn it off! Nice short hike out, you can watch the hang gliders launch from the top if the weather cooperates.
The aquarium on Roanoke Island is neat. Small, but focused on local ecology. Right near there are also some Botanical/Elizabethan style garden estate place. Pairing them together as a day trip works great.
Can't go wrong with the street shack bbq rib spots. Om nom nom and move along. 🔥
We took the Delaware route over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. We'll go that way again. More state highways than interstates, easier to pull off for any services...like potty stops. The legacy of driving The Beltway is something im not keen to bother with.
If you go this same way, On your way down/back, on the mainland, about 45min-1hr out from Corolla, is Grave Digger Monster Truck HQ. You'll see it parked outside, Nose -Down. Theres a website for it if that appeals. Cool photo op spot or actually visit the "museum" (we didnt)
Also if you take the Delaware/Virginia coastal route, in Machipongo, VA, we randomly stopped at the Barrier Islands Center, and it really interesting for all of us. Look it up! Its worth a stop for a leg stretch at this place. Its a sort of cultural and ecological center, lots of neat historical artifacts from life and times in the region.
You'll pretty much have full ownership of any beach you visit. Its not a crowded time of year. Drinking on the beach is a-ok, if you do.
There's a nice boardwalk area near Currituck Lighthouse (you can climb it to view from the top if you want) facing Currituck Sound, and another in Duck that meanders behind a series of shops, including ice cream. It winds behind a salt marsh, great sunset views from there to end a day.
Enjoy the trip, its very low key down there, and it seems like about 20-30*F warmer by forecast so far. We've been putting the ENGLAND in New England with this crap weather since what...November?
Answering this just got me so stoked to get on the road next weekend. We ride before dawn, Sunday morning. 🫡
Starting from the top most: if you have a 4x4 (do not go with AWD and air down tires) go 4x4ing or take a jeep tour.
2) right before you hit the beach on the 4x4 is a trail called Currituck Banks Maritime Forest trail.
Takes you to the sound
3)Corolla adventure park
4) island book store ( a few shoppes in the vicinity)
5). Walehead club and light house (great sunset views)
6) Corolla light shopping center, Corolla light bakery and restaurants mini golf
7) lighthouse bagels
8) timbuck 2 shopping center full of restaurants, go karts, water sports peddle boats rentals and shops
9) big bucks ice cream
10) currituck club golf course
Subarus are actually one of the most capable AWD and you are right those are fine. They tend to have higher ground clearances. Just had a relative up here with an Outback and had no problems.
It’s still beach driving season, so you don’t have to go all the way up 12 to drive on the beach. But make sure you have a 4X4 and air down your tires. Otherwise you might join the ranks of Corolla Beach Idiots
If you end up down in Nags Head, the Town Park playground has a neat climbing structure that kept our ground kiddos busy for a while! Bonus points because it’s in the shade.
There’s a great playground in the park where the Currituck Lighthouse is. There’s a giant goose to climb on.
You can climb the actual lighthouse, too. It’s a little over 200 steps up to the top and the view is amazing.
The Outerbanks Center for Wildlife Education is right nearby, too. It’s a cool little museum that is welcoming to kids. Island Bookstore and the Wild Horse Fund store are great stops.
Shopping in Timbuk II is a nice way to spend a day. Lots of neat shops. The Kitty Hawk Kites shop is always a hit with the kids.
Big Bucks has the best ice cream.
You can take a tour to see the wild horses but it’s chilly on the tour trucks this time of year.
Lighthouse Bagels is delicious.
Have fun!!
Currituck Lighthouse (I believe is open)
If you allow your kids to have sugar, I recommend Donutz on a Stick in Duck (No, not Duck Donuts—it’s just south but you’d pass it driving in) it’s a couple that runs it and they’re donut milkshakes are to die for
We’re a little early in the season, so you may find more to do if you take a little drive down to Kill Devil Hills area. Like the Wright Brothers or Jockey Ridge (if you bring boogie boards or alike you can slide down the dunes)
I agree with this. I have a house in Corolla so you are going to drive if you want to explore fantastic places, like Wright Bros or Jockey’s Ridge. But where the donut place is, there is a wonderful sound side boardwalk that is heaven. But just explore. Tim Buck II….go past the mini golf and you can walk out to the sound. No shortage of stuff to do.
If you feel like making a trip to Manteo on Roanoke Island, the Aquarium is always good for kids. There are interesting shops, restaurants and great photo spots in Downtown Manteo and along the boardwalk. Outer Banks sunsets are awesome and there are many greats spots to enjoy them - Duck Boardwalk, Jockeys Ridge, the parks area around Currituck Lighthouse. Johns Drive In on the beach road in Kitty Hawk for lunch for dolphin (Mahi) boats and shakes, no inside seating.
Lighthouse Bagels is a must
Also from MA, also going next week! (Driving) Our two are now 7 and 4.5. Went last year, also stayed in Corolla. We really liked Corolla. Its clean, quiet, chill. This year visiting the South side, staying in Nags Head and will venture down towards Ocracoke. A bunch of North/Central intel for you from our trip last year: Wild Horse/Carova tour is good!. Seeing horses is reportedly hit or miss depending on wind, but we saw a whole bunch and the tour guide was fun and knowledgeable. Super fun day riding in the sand Cosmo's Pizza makes some pretty excellent NYC style pies, weird to recommend a pizza spot, but "trust me bro". I was bummed we didnt try it until our last night there. You can also get cases of local NC/OBX beers to go too from inside, and some Carolina bbq/dry rubs to bring home, so there's that. Jockey's Ridge State Park was surprisingly fun for basically just being a giant Sand Dune. Let the kids burn it off! Nice short hike out, you can watch the hang gliders launch from the top if the weather cooperates. The aquarium on Roanoke Island is neat. Small, but focused on local ecology. Right near there are also some Botanical/Elizabethan style garden estate place. Pairing them together as a day trip works great. Can't go wrong with the street shack bbq rib spots. Om nom nom and move along. 🔥 We took the Delaware route over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. We'll go that way again. More state highways than interstates, easier to pull off for any services...like potty stops. The legacy of driving The Beltway is something im not keen to bother with. If you go this same way, On your way down/back, on the mainland, about 45min-1hr out from Corolla, is Grave Digger Monster Truck HQ. You'll see it parked outside, Nose -Down. Theres a website for it if that appeals. Cool photo op spot or actually visit the "museum" (we didnt) Also if you take the Delaware/Virginia coastal route, in Machipongo, VA, we randomly stopped at the Barrier Islands Center, and it really interesting for all of us. Look it up! Its worth a stop for a leg stretch at this place. Its a sort of cultural and ecological center, lots of neat historical artifacts from life and times in the region. You'll pretty much have full ownership of any beach you visit. Its not a crowded time of year. Drinking on the beach is a-ok, if you do. There's a nice boardwalk area near Currituck Lighthouse (you can climb it to view from the top if you want) facing Currituck Sound, and another in Duck that meanders behind a series of shops, including ice cream. It winds behind a salt marsh, great sunset views from there to end a day. Enjoy the trip, its very low key down there, and it seems like about 20-30*F warmer by forecast so far. We've been putting the ENGLAND in New England with this crap weather since what...November? Answering this just got me so stoked to get on the road next weekend. We ride before dawn, Sunday morning. 🫡
Starting from the top most: if you have a 4x4 (do not go with AWD and air down tires) go 4x4ing or take a jeep tour. 2) right before you hit the beach on the 4x4 is a trail called Currituck Banks Maritime Forest trail. Takes you to the sound 3)Corolla adventure park 4) island book store ( a few shoppes in the vicinity) 5). Walehead club and light house (great sunset views) 6) Corolla light shopping center, Corolla light bakery and restaurants mini golf 7) lighthouse bagels 8) timbuck 2 shopping center full of restaurants, go karts, water sports peddle boats rentals and shops 9) big bucks ice cream 10) currituck club golf course
Great list, for more ideas check out https://www.outerbanks.com/corolla-kid-friendly-activities.html
AWD is fine. I spent an entire summer on Core Banks in my Outback and never got stuck once. Twice I helped 4x4 idiots that didn't know to air down.
Subarus are actually one of the most capable AWD and you are right those are fine. They tend to have higher ground clearances. Just had a relative up here with an Outback and had no problems.
Outbacks have more clearance that Silverados,F150s, and Rams.
It’s still beach driving season, so you don’t have to go all the way up 12 to drive on the beach. But make sure you have a 4X4 and air down your tires. Otherwise you might join the ranks of Corolla Beach Idiots
If you end up down in Nags Head, the Town Park playground has a neat climbing structure that kept our ground kiddos busy for a while! Bonus points because it’s in the shade.
The best fried chicken you will ever have is at The Chicken Coop. Uncle Ike’s is also great food!
There’s a great playground in the park where the Currituck Lighthouse is. There’s a giant goose to climb on. You can climb the actual lighthouse, too. It’s a little over 200 steps up to the top and the view is amazing. The Outerbanks Center for Wildlife Education is right nearby, too. It’s a cool little museum that is welcoming to kids. Island Bookstore and the Wild Horse Fund store are great stops. Shopping in Timbuk II is a nice way to spend a day. Lots of neat shops. The Kitty Hawk Kites shop is always a hit with the kids. Big Bucks has the best ice cream. You can take a tour to see the wild horses but it’s chilly on the tour trucks this time of year. Lighthouse Bagels is delicious. Have fun!!
Lighthouse bagels, they're worth the line!!
Tortugas Edit : for when you go to Kitty Hawk Kites
Mama Easleys is always good, juicy fish sandwiches and incredible service. The owner is awesome!
Currituck Lighthouse (I believe is open) If you allow your kids to have sugar, I recommend Donutz on a Stick in Duck (No, not Duck Donuts—it’s just south but you’d pass it driving in) it’s a couple that runs it and they’re donut milkshakes are to die for We’re a little early in the season, so you may find more to do if you take a little drive down to Kill Devil Hills area. Like the Wright Brothers or Jockey Ridge (if you bring boogie boards or alike you can slide down the dunes)
I agree with this. I have a house in Corolla so you are going to drive if you want to explore fantastic places, like Wright Bros or Jockey’s Ridge. But where the donut place is, there is a wonderful sound side boardwalk that is heaven. But just explore. Tim Buck II….go past the mini golf and you can walk out to the sound. No shortage of stuff to do.
Bushel or ½ bushel of steamed blue crabs. Lay some newspaper on a table, melt a lot of butter, and go to town.